The wind is trashing my Angel Wing Begonia. I read they can be propagated by stem cuttings....but how? Water rooting, dry soil mix, damp soil mix? I'm picking up broken stems here.

I get my best results rooting these guys by sticking cuttings in damp potting mix. Try and get at least 1 leaf node under the soil.

Thank you! I think I'll put these stems in water until I can pot them. I need to find a more protected spot for this plant.

You can actually root them in water, but in my experience, the roots that form in water are not nearly as robust as the ones that form in soil.

I'll try a few each way. I'm sure I'll have plenty to work with.

If you use something like a plastic drinking glass and start them in water, when you start to see roots 1/2 to 1 inch, you can start dribbling potting soil into the water till its thick soup, then add a bit more in a week or so then leave it until water pretty much is used up and its just the potting soil. The water roots by themselves if you let them get too big do not like the sudden change into straight potting soil. Karen M.

That's a thought. Right now we're having serious hot, dry winds, so I'm just trying to keep them alive til things settle down.

Glad I found this thread. I had a begonia that seemed to be doing well in a container, then the stem seemed to start rotting. Maybe because we've had lots of rain? I cut off the top part since it looked healthy and just stuck it in some potting soil. Glad to know that may work. Here is a photo of the stem.

I root these and 100% take in just a glass of water. I've actually left them in the water and they never rotted. The soil method works too, but there is more chance the cutting will fail because of fungus, etc. You might want to water with a little Hydrogen Peroxide in the water at first.

Thanks for the hint Clint. My cutting did rot in the soil. Next time I'll try water.

My salvaged pieces are still in water, in a bright window, in the house. I just add water when I notice it's low. Lots of roots, but don't know of a good spot for them if I pot them up. Bright shade and wind protection are hard to come by here.